15 Things You Shouldn’t Miss On Your Trip To Eureka Springs

Few U.S. towns have kept their original shape like Eureka Springs. Built across sharp hills with narrow, curving roads, it still looks much like it did a century ago. For those planning a visit, here are 15 things to check out while you’re there.

Visit Thorncrown Chapel

Designed in 1980 by award-winning architect E. Fay Jones, this chapel nestles quietly in the woods, crafted entirely by hand without the use of machines. Its soaring frame features over 6,000 square feet of glass and 425 windows, allowing natural light to stream in from every angle.

Explore Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

This 459-acre sanctuary rescues lions, tigers, leopards, and bears from poor conditions. Over 100 big cats live here, and the refuge is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. Visitors can tour, learn, and even stay overnight.

Wander Downtown Eureka Springs

Step into history in Downtown Eureka Springs, a charming destination listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its winding streets and steep hills are lined with beautifully preserved Victorian buildings, unique boutiques, cozy cafes, and vibrant art galleries.

Tour The Crescent Hotel

Built in 1886, the Crescent Hotel once operated as a fake cancer hospital run by Norman Baker. Guests have reported eerie encounters, from flickering lights to sightings of Morris, the hotel’s dearly departed cat. Guided ghost tours offer a chilling peek into the past of this hotel.

Marvel At Christ Of The Ozarks

This giant 67-foot-tall Jesus statue has arms stretching 65 feet wide. Built in 1966, it crowns The Great Passion Play Park, offering sweeping views and nearby attractions like the Bible Museum and an immersive Holy Land Tour.

Experience Intrigue Theater

Intrigue Theater hosts live magic and mentalist shows inside a 1901 stone church. The act includes Victorian spiritualist tricks and eerie illusions. Shows sell out fast, and visitors usually leave wondering how the mind-reading stunts really work.

Relax At Blue Spring Heritage Center

Blue Spring releases 38 million gallons of water each day into the White River. The 33-acre garden holds deep cultural meaning as a Trail of Tears site. Paths wind through native plants and stone remnants before reaching the spring’s bright, fish-filled pool.

Take A Ghost Tour With Haunted Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs once had more mortuaries per capita than almost any town in America—and that eerie past still lingers. These tours take you through hidden tunnels and dark alleys, using old ghost-hunting tools while sharing creepy stories rooted in real local history.

Stroll Lake Leatherwood City Park

This 1,600-acre park has an 85-acre lake and over 25 miles of trails, good for biking and hiking. Constructed during the WPA era, it includes stone bridges and a limestone dam from the 1940s. Tourists usually kayak, picnic, or fish throughout the year.

Admire Quigley’s Castle

In 1943, Elise Quigley built this odd home using rocks from her property. The house includes indoor flower beds and bottle-lined walls. Surrounded by gardens with 400 perennial varieties, Quigley’s Castle opens for tours in warmer months, delivering a whimsical blend of nature and creativity.

Cross The White River Bridge At Beaver

This 554-foot-long bridge is the last wooden suspension bridge in Arkansas open to vehicles. It has one narrow lane with wood planks and tall steel towers. Known for its old-fashioned charm, the bridge has appeared in movies and gently creaks as cars cross.

Ride The Eureka Springs And North Arkansas Railway

Operating from a 1913 depot, this vintage train provides narrated rides through the Ozarks. You can visit the small museum or book lunch in a restored dining car. Whether diesel or steam-powered, each trip shares rich stories of the region’s railway past.

Attend The Great Passion Play

This biblical drama has been performed outdoors in a 4,100-seat amphitheater since 1968. Each show includes over 100 actors and live animals. The complex also has a Bible Museum, a piece-by-piece model of Jerusalem, and walking trails with statues.

Explore Onyx Cave

Arkansas’s oldest show cave was discovered in 1891 and opened to the public shortly after. Visitors wear headphones for a self-guided tour past flowstone and cave formations, though it doesn’t contain real onyx. It’s small and easy for families to explore.

Visit St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church

Built in 1909, this church is the only one in America where you enter through the bell tower. It sits on a hillside overlooking downtown, with stained glass and a peaceful garden. The archway and tower offer beautiful spots for panoramic photos of the town.